Second Steps

Children’s Social Work

Social Work Task Force – ThemesMay 2009 Social Workers feel overstretched by staff

shortages and bureaucracy Social Workers feel frustrated by tools and

systems to support for the job New Social Workers not properly prepared

for the job and lack of support for ongoing development and specialism

Social Work Task Force – ThemesMay 2009 (cont.) Profession lacks strong national voice and

is not supported at a national level Systems for managing performance are

not driving quality first and foremost Social Workers feel their profession is

under-valued, poorly understood and under continuous media attack

Recruitment - Local Issues

Shortage of experienced staff and first line managers

Over reliance on agencies workers No shortage of newly qualified workers,

but lack experience Heavy increase in workload following Baby

Peter

Retention - some issues

Support – supervision/consultation Work load focus on targets/inspection Integrated Computer System Poor accommodation Prevention v. protection Impact of reorganisations

Respect – some issues

Media portrayal – news, soaps etc

Government support

Lack of strong voice

Public Awareness of Social Work

Ways forward?

Respect – How can image be changed? Recruitment – reaching high calibre applicants

links to public image Retention

Clarity about role Administrative support Supervision Realistic workload CPD Environment